Article by
Barbados Today

Published on
September 7, 2012

Jonnie Peacock (centre) crosses the line to win gold in the Men’s 100m – T44 Final.
LONDON – British teenager Jonnie Peacock last night stormed to victory in the 100 metres final in 10.90 seconds, a new Paralympic record.
The 19-year-old from Cambridge showed no regard for reputations, upstaging South Africa’s Oscar Pistorius with a thrilling run.
He came into the Games as the T44 world record holder but inexperienced on the big stage, but proved he can more than handle the big occasion.Only American Richard Browne could get close to the Briton, claiming silver in 11.03secs.
Pistorius, the defending champion, was never in contention, finishing fourth behind fellow South African and room-mate Arnu Fourie, but was quick to embrace Peacock at the finish.
Chants of ‘Peacock, Peacock, Peacock’ rang around the stadium before the start, which was delayed when Brazilian Alan Fonteles Oliveira appeared to twitch and the field were asked to stand up.
A faulty rather than a false start was the verdict and the added tension did not affect Peacock, who was able to race off on a lap of honour draped in the Union Flag.
Peacock’s victory crowned a golden night for Great Britain, coming minutes after David Weir had continued his relentless pursuit of quadruple gold by making it three out of three with yet another masterful ride, this time to win the 800m title.
Peacock said afterwards: “This Games is definitely a legacy, and to be part of that is amazing.
“I knew this crowd was going to be intense. Dave Weir going minutes before – I knew he’d win, and I knew the crowd would be on a high. (But) I didn’t think it was going to be that crazy.”